Turkish police raids target 66 people, including pilots

Turkish police are conducting simultaneous raids to detain 66 people, including a number of fighter pilots, wanted for suspected links to a network led by US-based Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen, state-run news agency Anadolu Agency said. 

The raids on Thursday at some 40 locations in Turkey's central Eskisehir province targeted soldiers and so-called "secret imams" who allegedly directed Gulen's followers within the armed forces.

Since last year's failed coup attempt, Turkey has carried out a far-reaching crackdown on individuals suspected of supporting exiled cleric Fethullah Gulen.

Gulen, who is in self-imposed exile in the US, is accused by Ankara of masterminding the failed putsch.

The crackdown, however, has also controversially led to the arrests of many journalists, human rights defenders and politicians.

The crackdown has seen over 50,000 arrested and nearly 2,000 NGOs shut down.